Accepting His Terms Read Free

I’m sure it happened quickly. But give some thought to what I’ve said, please. Have you ever thought of carrying pepper spray with you, for example? Or have you ever considered taking a course in self-defense? A lot of women do that, you know. You might not be as lucky as you were today if this should happen again.”
    “I will give that some thought, and thanks again for checking in on me.”
    He grinned as he replied in a soft tone, “Did you think I wouldn’t?”
    He was rewarded with the sight of her lips curling up in an attempted smile.
    “If you’d like to take the rest of the day off, it’s fine. The budget can wait another day.”
    “No, I need to stay busy, but thanks for the offer.”
    “As you wish,” he answered as he left her office.
    He buried himself in work for the rest of the afternoon, working long past quitting time. When he heard a knock on the door, he was surprised anyone was still in the office.
    “Who is it?” he asked.
    “Jill.”
    “Come on in.” When she walked in, he immediately was on his feet. As he started toward her, he asked, “What on earth are you still doing here? Is anything wrong?”
    “I thought you’d be gone and I was planning to put the budget in your box, but when I saw the light was on, I decided to hand it to you instead.”
    “Thank you, but I didn’t expect you to stay late to finish it. Sit down, Jill,” he said quietly as he took the papers from her.
    “I won’t keep you. You probably want to get home,” she said.
    “What were you thinking, staying here this late? It’s dark outside.”
    “I’ve stayed late before. Is that a problem?”
    “It is after what happened today, yes. Did nothing I say soak into that gorgeous red head of yours? Don’t you realize the parking garage is dark and empty? Who’s to say our friend, the mail clerk, isn’t lying in wait for you to get his revenge or to finish what he started? Did you think of that? Muggers and rapists prey on unsuspecting females in dark parking garages late at night. I realize you sometimes work late to meet a deadline and that’s admirable, but from now on, I don’t want you working past six during the months it gets dark early. In the summer, not past seven, is that understood?”
    “I… I’m sorry… I didn’t think,” she stammered.
    His tone softened as he said, “I know you’re an adult who is capable of making your own decisions, but I don’t think you understand the seriousness of the situation. I’m looking out for you, whether you believe that or not. I’m not trying to use the hard-ass boss card with you.” He stood up and walked around to her, pulling her up from her chair.
    As she looked at him in surprise, he said in a low voice, “You know, if you were my woman, you’d have been across my knee about five minutes ago.”
    He could have bitten his tongue. He’d never spanked a woman in his life, had never wanted to. The fact that this woman could frustrate and infuriate him that much almost frightened him. But the fact that he may have frightened her with his statement frustrated him even more.
    As he turned his attention to her face to gauge her reaction to his words, a thrill ran through his entire body. What he saw was not fear, shock, or disgust. What he saw was a sexy, beautiful woman, whose face held a look of anticipation, and whose body showed obvious signs of arousal. As his gaze dropped, he saw nipples erect and pert, and as he looked back up, he saw that she was biting her lower lip, and her deep blue eyes told him all he needed to know.
    “Have dinner with me?” he asked suddenly.
    “Dinner?” she asked in a surprised tone.
    “You know, the evening meal, dinner,” he teased.
    “Uh… I… I’m not so sure that’s a good idea. I mean after what happened…  earlier… and you lecturing me and all,” she stammered.
    He cocked his handsome head to the side and smiled as he answered softly, “Ronnie no longer works here. You don’t have to